Series 3 88 vs 109 Bulkhead vs Leg Room

Looking for a replacement landrover - had a look around a s3 88" last week and to be blunt could barely get in behind the steering wheel - it had by the looks of it been a short cab / pick up rear and had a hard top fitted. Behind the front seats was a 4"+ high bulk head full width. The 'seller' was explaining that if that were to be removed the drivers seat on 'extension risers' could be moved back 3" thus providing additional leg room.
I drove a 110 CSW until recently and had fitted seat risers/extension rails and found the seat position ideal.
From what I have read, the 109" doesnt have the additional bulk head behind the front seats and there is more leg room to start with. Can anyone confirm this ?
I have my eye on a project 109" CSW but as is in bits and the other end of the country cant really sit in it to check & I dont know any 109" CSW owners in my area. Help much appreciated. Mat

Hi, I have a 109 station wagon that does not have a bulkhead behind the front seats but even so, there isn't a lot of room. I doubt if there is 3" of movement in the front seats, more like 1". I've never driven a pickup but I've been told there is less room behind the wheel. When I first got mine I was surprised how cramped it was but you do get used to it. Also, I fitted a smaller Mountney steering wheel which helped somewhat. I am 6ft 3"


Col

Hi Col
I’ve been reading your posts , I’m 6’2” and 16 stone. I do have a rather long thigh though. Am I correct in assuming the seat box to bulkhead behind the seat arrangement are pretty much the same in a 109” as a 110” that is to say once the seat rail is lifted up to clear the bulkhead in the rear footwell the seat can go back a couple more inches ?
Any chance of a photo of the cross member behind the seat ?

I'm 6 feet tall and getting behind the wheel and being comfortable in my S3 109" hicap is a struggle. I have to duck slightly due to the low windscreen.

The 88 rear bulkhead is structural, and I don't think there's a kit that allows you to remove it.
The 109 bulkhead is several inches further back and I believe fitting a defender seat and "mud rails" will give you leg room.
It won't help with the screen though.

Finally found a photo showing the csw 109" bulk head to look pretty similar to my 110 - so am confident I can resolve the leg room. then look at a turret hole for my head !
thanks folks for the information.

Lurk said:

Hi Col
I’ve been reading your posts , I’m 6’2” and 16 stone. I do have a rather long thigh though. Am I correct in assuming the seat box to bulkhead behind the seat arrangement are pretty much the same in a 109” as a 110” that is to say once the seat rail is lifted up to clear the bulkhead in the rear footwell the seat can go back a couple more inches ?
Any chance of a photo of the cross member behind the seat ?

Click to expand...

Size matters?

There’s no actual difference between a 109 and an 88 insofar as seating and legroom.

John S said:

There’s no actual difference between a 109 and an 88 insofar as seating and legroom.

Click to expand...

THe LWB rear bulkhead is further back and fuel fill pipe in different location seat is allowed to go further back due to this.
If you modify the sliding seat by welding extra height on the side the back can be raised and gives even more leg room.
Photo's from Big Chris

I had probs with the legroom at first,dont keep your knees together is the answer,knee resting on the door,shin resting on the handbrake,you get used to it,

I agree, when I got the Series I worried about the lack of adjustment - I usually faff about getting a car seat "just right" but its just not a problem. I get back touble and my other car is a Merc - electric seats with god knows how many motors and adjustable in every concievable way.inc lumbar support, but I get less back trouble in the Series sitting on what seems to be a hard church pew than the fancy MB seat. My Series came with some "history", in it was that it had been used to transport perdigree dogs from Turkey. I'm not a "dog person" so this makes no sense to me, but I know its a long way and the heater was solid with dog fur. Point is if a Series is that uncomfortable surely you wouldn't drive it to and from Turkey?